held up in rear when fell 4 out
tracked leader, always travelling well, led approaching when mistake last, quickened clear, impressive
led, driven when headed approaching last, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, driven 3 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, kept on into 3rd, never a threat
NonRunner
The card’s feature event with high-class hurdler BUVEUR D’AIR bidding to repeat last year’s success. Unbeaten in 10 outings since 2016, he ended last season winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for the second time and there’s a distinct possibility he may prove even better this year having undergone wind surgery subsequently. Bedrock beat the disappointing odds-on favourite Samcro in a Grade 2 in Ireland recently but the latter should be sharper for this. Gordon Elliott’s charge won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Cheltenham in March as did Supreme Novices’ winner Summerville Boy, though the latter has his first outing since. Vision Des Flos and Bleu Et Rouge look up against it on these terms and are hard to recommend.
Bleu Et Rouge (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 9th of 12, dist behind Faugheen (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, soon leant on rival, led before 2 out, hard pressed by runner-up after, driven flat, edged right towards finish, found extra close home, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar beating Melon (11-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Samcro (IRE) 4-9fav (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, took closer order from 4th, pushed along and led narrowly before 2 out, soon headed and ridden, slightly impeded from last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Bedrock (11-5) at Down Royal 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, steady headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, slightly outpaced when blundered 2 out, ridden and rallied between last 2, close up in 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar beating Kalashnikov (11-7) by nk, 19 ran.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd before 6th, challenged next, led 4 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Wholestone (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
Bedrock 12-1 (11-5) Raced in 3rd, took closer order on outer from 3 out and pushed along to challenge before next, soon led and edged slightly right from last, kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Samcro (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
